The federal transportation department told airlines today that they must limit how long customers sit in grounded planes.

"Under the new regulations, airlines operating domestic flights will be able only to keep passengers on board for three hours before they must be allowed to disembark a delayed flight. The regulation provides exceptions only for safety or security or if air traffic control advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations."

Have you noticed recent media stories about the battle between American Airlines and Delta Airlines? They're battling for control of Japan Airlines (JAL). That airline is in financial trouble. American and Delta both want controlling financial interest in JAL so they can control its code share agreements. Code shares let different airlines share resources. There are three major code share alliances in the world: oneworld, Star Alliance and SkyTeam. What does all this mean to you? Read on!